How to Become an Environmental Scientist in Arkansas: Salary & Requirements (2026)
Quick answer: The median environmental scientist salary in Arkansas is $57,220 per year - 30% below the national median of $82,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The career requires a 4-year degree: Bachelor’s in environmental science, chemistry, or geology.
Environmental Scientist Salary in Arkansas
| Wage level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| Arkansas entry level (10th percentile) | $35,580 |
| Arkansas 25th-75th percentile | $44,930 - $88,710 |
| Arkansas median | $57,220 |
| Arkansas top earners (90th percentile) | $122,270 |
| U.S. median | $82,220 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. State employment: 270.
The Arkansas Job Market: Environmental Scientist
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Employed in Arkansas | 270 |
| Jobs per 1,000 in the state | 0.21 |
| Concentration vs U.S. (location quotient) | 0.36 |
| Mean annual wage in Arkansas | $72,360 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. With a location quotient of 0.36, Arkansas employs environmental scientists at a lower concentration than the national average; expect fewer openings per capita and weigh relocation or remote-friendly specialties.
Requirements in Arkansas
The education path is national - Bachelor’s in environmental science, chemistry, or geology - while licensing runs through Arkansas’s own boards: No license for most roles; certifications (e.g., asbestos/lead assessor) role-specific. Verify current requirements with the Arkansas licensing authority before enrolling, as details change. The step-by-step path (degree, exams, first role, advancement) is covered in the national guide: How to Become an Environmental Scientist.
Salary Nationwide
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $52,520 |
| 25th | $64,490 |
| 50th (median) | $82,220 |
| 75th | $107,970 |
| 90th | $140,010 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 90,300 |
| 2034 projected | 94,300 |
| Percent change | +4.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an environmental scientist make in Arkansas?
The median annual wage for environmental scientists and specialists, including health in Arkansas is $57,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 30% below the national median of $82,220.
How do I become an environmental scientist in Arkansas?
The core path is the same nationwide - Bachelor's in environmental science, chemistry, or geology - with licensing administered at the state level: No license for most roles; certifications (e.g., asbestos/lead assessor) role-specific. See the steps below.
How many environmental scientists work in Arkansas?
BLS counts about 270 environmental scientists and specialists, including health employed in Arkansas (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Environmental Scientist in Nearby States
- Environmental Scientist in Alaska
- Environmental Scientist in Arizona
- Environmental Scientist in California
- Environmental Scientist in Colorado
Related
- How to Become an Environmental Scientist (national guide)
- All Trade Careers That Require a 4-Year Degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health (SOC 19-2041), Arkansas and national
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |